Even with regular visits to the dentist, children from richer families are more likely to experience tooth decay, according to the first meta-analysis of its kind. The systematic review of 65 studies conducted in 30 countries suggests the corrosive effects of soda, juices, and energy drinks have eaten away at some of the privileges provided by wealth and education. Among adolescents who attend private school and whose parents have higher levels of education and income, tooth wear was discovered to be significantly worse. Dental researcher Khaled Ahmed of Griffith University in Australia says although this might sound counter-intuitive since teens from affluent families are more likely to have access to regular dental care, the truth is, “Fizzy drinks, energy drinks and packaged juices are in many countries available to the affluent” and these people “may be more frequently exposed” to sugar-based drinks and foods.
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